That's very nice. Also the amount of extra compression due to that tile based compression is impressive. When you add a zoom option (to zoom out, and in) and a save as PNG option, that maybe would be a nice possibility to save downloading times and lower server usage.

The FIFA map doesn't work for me, though.

I really need to learn how to manipulate images in Java, too. Which classes do you use for loading an image and splitting it into pieces etc?

I implemented most of it, and I'm finding very little rotation (didn't try Sonic CD yet). Officially, the Mega Drive graphics chip doesn't support it, I don't know what the Mega CD adds to the mix.

I also added the feature to (sort of) merge tile sets between maps. The result is that you can have one set of tiles fueling multiple maps for a more optimal experience. I'm finding sprites cause a lot of tile duplication though, but I don't want to make the source data more complicated than a single image.

Sprites certainly complicate things. The ultimate format would be one that would allow you to store tiles/backgrounds and sprites separately. Unfortunately you'd have to create the image in that format in the first place.

Such an ultimate format would pretty much be impossible to do. It would most likely be easier and take less space to create a program that would output the map straight from the rom using the correct tiles, palettes and whatever internal transformations needed and then add all the sprites wanted.

I remember reading about a guy who was trying to do something similar but for a video format for NES games that would thus have perfect image clarity and would require a much smaller bit rate than most existing video format.

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"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." [...] The first time any man's freedom is trodden on, we're all damaged. - Captain Jean-Luc Picard

B*tch, meet reality. Reality, meet b*tch. - Me

Logged

Current project that I really should try to finish:-Drill Dozer (GBA)-Sonic 3D Blast (Genesis)-Naya's Quest (PC)